Madiba enjoys birthday party

Qunu - Songs, laughter, teasing and tender words marked Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration as presidents, village elders and African royalty joined him for a festive luncheon on his rural homestead.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner celebrated privately with his family in this rural southeastern village on Friday, the day he turned 90.

Saturday was a grand occasion, held in a tent outside his homestead in Qunu, 1 000km south of Johannesburg, where as a boy he herded cattle in the hills.

The anti-apartheid icon walked into the tent with his successor to the South African presidency, Thabo Mbeki, and African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma, stopping to personally greet some of the 500 guests as he made his way to the head table.

Intimate feel

The guests, many dressed in traditional beaded cloths, animals skins and feather headdresses, stood and cheered while a Xhosa choir sang: "Here is our hope!"

Wearing an intricately patterned shirt in shades of brown, Mandela looked relaxed and cheerful as he listened attentively to the accolades being heaped on him.

Mbeki called Mandela a "great liberator." Zuma said the gathering was a celebration of "a life and legacy of a father, grandfather, comrade, warrior, soldier, nation builder and statesman."

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda caught the festive mood with a tuneful solo of "Happy Birthday," followed by a teasing verse: "How old are you? State secret!" Then the 84-year-old Kaunda jogged over to shake Mandela's hand.

The event also marked the 10th anniversary of his marriage to child rights activist Graca Machel and - despite the large number of guests - had a feeling of an intimate family affair.

Flowers at the head table were arranged in vases of tin, a traditional material for 10th anniversary gifts, and the couple sat close together, nodding and clapping appreciatively as family members gave moving tributes.

Much love

"This birthday celebration is one of the very small ways that we as your family can show our love, respect and appreciation for all you have done," said one of Mandela's granddaughters, Nandi Mandela.

Machel's daughter Josina said the couple symbolised hope. "The two of you have taught us a lot about the virtues of love," she said.

In the climax of the afternoon, master of ceremonies and lawmaker Bantu Holomisa toasted the couple. "All of you join me in wishing them both all our love, happiness and long life," he said. "Long life!"

To the sound of ululating, Mandela was presented with an aluminum-bound album of family photographs and testimonials, compiled by his children and grandchildren.

Mandela beamed with pleasure as he and Machel eagerly tore off the wrappings and ribbons, surrounded by grandchildren who also assisted him in blowing out the candles on a large cake. The cake had nine gold candles to mark Mandela's birthday and 10 silver ones to mark the anniversary.

Eager to thank his guests, Mandela rose to his feet and spoke for a few minutes with his characteristic self-deprecating humour.

"As you know I am not a speaker at all, and I am not going to make any exception on this occasion, except to say thank you for all you have done for me," he said.

- AP